Browsing: Meditation Articles

A walking meditation can be just as calming and effective as a traditional sitting meditation and has the added advantage of allowing you to connect with nature which amplifies the calming, de-stressing effects of this exercise.
Simply focusing on your footsteps and their rhythm helps to induce a meditative state and many people find this the most accessible method of meditation.
Follow these easy steps to get the most out of your walking meditation experience.
1. Try to set aside at least 20 – 30 minutes for your walking meditation and make sure that this time is used purely for the experience. Do not combine your meditation with going on an errand, for example, or for getting from one place to another. This is your time, to be used as a calming, de-stressing aid to your health and wellbeing. It is therefore best to try to perform your walking meditation outside and as close to nature as possible. If you live in a city, you can still appreciate the signs of nature such as birdsong, trees and even clouds in the sky.
2. Before you begin your walking meditation take a moment to center yourself. Close your eyes if you wish and breathe in and out slowly and deeply. Focus on your breath and notice how it expands your chest and belly. Do not try to alter the rhythm of your breath but simply observe it. Allow your breathing to return to normal and notice this rhythm before opening your eyes if necessary. Become aware of your body and your surroundings and notice how you feel within that environment. Retain this heightened level of observation as you begin your walk.
3. Start your walking meditation at a relaxed even pace. Notice how your body is feeling as you move rhythmically through space. Feel yourself moving.... read more

Mindfulness meditation can be performed any time, anywhere and this is one of its most appealing attributes. Incorporating mindfulness meditation into your daily life will also bring with it the added benefits of reduced stress, enhanced concentration and greater overall wellbeing. Many Eastern cultures place great emphasis on mindfulness meditation and consider it an essential part of spiritual practice as well as a way of living that brings with it rich rewards.
To practice mindfulness meditation, all you need do is observe whatever activity you are involved in without engaging too much. By detaching from what you are doing, you give your mind a chance to work in a different way, allowing any thoughts to simply drift through.
In many respects, mindfulness meditation is similar to a walking meditation in that the act of walking is simply a method of instilling a meditative rhythm. You observe everything around you but do not engage with it. Instead, you allow it to pass as you, too, carry on with what you are doing.
Mindfulness meditation can become a part of almost any activity. Sportsmen and women often report going into a meditative state, often referred to as ‘flow,’ as they let go and allow their muscles and bodies to take over rather than directing with their minds. Any repetitive motion such as swimming, running or even bouncing a ball is therefore conducive to mindfulness meditation as it helps to instil that same sense of rhythmic activity which induces a meditative state.
Even daily chores such as ironing or cooking can be a part of a mindfulness meditation. Begin by just allowing yourself to carry out the motion while detaching from it. Gradually start to decrease the pace of that motion until you feel its rhythm taking over. For some people, imagining that they are doing something.... read more

The benefits of meditation work on many levels, contributing to our physical and mental wellbeing by enhancing the immune system and reducing the effects of stress. Meditation can also provide a deeper spiritual connection for many people and can have a significant effect on personal growth and development.
One important benefit of meditation is improved concentration which is why many athletes and sports professionals practice it alongside visualization. There have been a number of studies conducted which concluded that there is a direct correlation between concentration exercises such as meditation and a significant increase in performance level for athletes and sports professionals.
As meditation strengthens the mind, this correlation is unsurprising. The strengthened mind that is a direct benefit of meditation is far more capable of effectively directing the body to carry out complex tasks such as competing in sport at a high level.
Another benefit of meditation is the improved sleep levels that many practitioners experience. Not only do they find it easier to get to sleep but they also find that their quality of sleep is far better. This has a direct impact on levels of stress in practitioners who generally find it far easier to cope with everyday stressors when well rested. As people often report that meditation helps them to put problems into perspective, this further decreases levels of anxiety and stress which has an overall positive effect on levels of health and happiness.
In our increasingly frenetic world, taking time out to practice meditation can provide you with an oasis of calm that sustains the rest of your day. Enlightened employers even provide space for employees to do just that in some cases as they realize that they will benefit from the increased productivity that is often a direct result. When a mind is allowed to simply let go.... read more